The National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA) announced on Wednesday that health insurance enrollment in Nigeria has surged by 11% over the past year, bringing the total number of enrollees to approximately 18.7 million.
This increase was highlighted by NHIA Director General, Dr. Kelechi Ohiri, in a statement issued in Abuja, marking a significant milestone for the agency. The growth comes just five months after the Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Prof. Muhammad Pate, revealed that an additional 750,000 Nigerians had joined the scheme.
Dr. Ohiri attributed the rise in enrollment to the ongoing efforts by the NHIA and various state government institutions, which are aligned with the new administration’s goal of achieving universal health coverage by 2030.
“From an estimated 16 million enrollees in various schemes across the country in Q4 2023, total national enrollment has now reached about 18.7 million,” Dr. Ohiri stated. “This 11% increase in less than a year indicates that our collective efforts are yielding results and we are on track to meet and exceed the 2027 target.”
He also noted that the current enrollment figures have already surpassed the presidential target for the year by 8%, demonstrating the program’s effectiveness and potential for continued growth.
Dr. Ohiri emphasized the importance of capitation fees, which are fixed payments to healthcare providers based on the estimated value of services provided to patients. He indicated that these fees are a critical incentive for improving service quality and attracting more enrollees, with a temporary rate already agreed upon, pending the announcement of a revised rate.